A damaged finger tendon will keep Ireland out-half David Humphreys out of rugby for about eight weeks.

Humphreys, who led Ulster to success over French side Colomiers in the European Cup final in January, will miss Ireland's match against Italy at Lansdowne Road in three weeks' time but the injury will not jeopardise his inclusion in the summer tour to Australia which sets off on May 21st.

Humphreys injured his hand early in the Five Nations match against Scotland last Saturday but he played to the end and produced perhaps his most complete international performance to date. He underwent surgery yesterday afternoon to repair the tendon.

"He is very down about it but has to consider the long-term objectives," said Willie Anderson, coach of Humphreys's club side, Dungannon. "He was advised that if he didn't get the operation done immediately his finger could curl up and he might not be able to straighten it. If it was put off until later then it might have caused greater damage and now he will be in a cast for between four to five weeks. It has also been a hammer blow to us because he was playing superbly."

Clearly the timing of the operation has been decided on the basis of long-term benefits rather than short-term gains. Having Humphreys available for what is essentially a friendly, albeit a face-saving match against the Italians, has been sacrificed to give him enough time to be fully fit for the Australian tour and the build-up to the 1999 World Cup, which begins on October 2nd against the USA in Lansdowne Road.

"David is out for the Italian match but not for the Australian tour," said Ireland coach Warren Gatland yesterday. "He rang last night (Monday) and we felt that it was extremely important for him to get it right for the Australian tour and for the World Cup. He probably could have played but because he is in such a pivotal role it is important for him to get it 100 per cent right."

"From David's point of view, it is the first time he has had the opportunity to play in three or four games in succession and not be dropped. Previously he had played a game or two and then didn't play the next. Now there is an opportunity for one of three or four players to perform."

Humphreys's injury gives Eric Elwood - who has been on the bench for all of Ireland's Five Nations games this season - the opportunity to play himself back into contention, ironically just as the Ulster-man appeared to have finally nailed down the position beyond doubt.

Gatland said: "I think David has gotten better game by game and there is still a lot of improvement in him. I was talking to Jim Telfer after the game in Scotland and he said how surprised he was at how much he had improved. But the lay-off after the operation will also give David the chance to freshen up and to spend time on his kicking without the physical contact."

Humphreys fell just two points short of breaking Ollie Campbell's Irish Five Nations record of 52 points in a season.

Besides Elwood, the others likely to be considered for the number 10 jersey include Lansdowne's Barry Everitt and Garryowen's Killian Keane, a recognised place-kicker, both of whom have played for the disappointing Ireland A side in that position. Jeremy Staunton, the Irish under-21, has been a breath of fresh air at out-half this season with his club Garryowen in the All-Ireland League.